Ephemeroids

a group of perennial herbaceous plants for which fall-winter-spring vegetation is common. During the dry season the plants remain dormant in the form of seeds, bulbs, tubers, or rhizomes. The vegetative period of ephemeroids in arid zones (tulips, sedge, meadow grass) is two to eight months. Optimum growth occurs in the spring. Ephemeroids are important as pasturage in Middle Asia and Kazakhstan. The vegetative period of ephemeroids in the forest-steppe region (squill, buttercup anemone) is two months, lasting usually until the formation of leaves on trees. Flowering and fruit formation make up a large part of the vegetative period. Many species flower until the onset of leaf formation.